Jared Gaither out for season

The Chargers left tackle was placed on season-ending injured reserve with a groin injury. He appeared in just four games this season after signing in March a four-year, $24.5 million contract with an $8 million signing bonus.

Gaither earned $9 million in 2012 when including a base salary of $1 million, or $2.25 million per game played.

How the Chargers proceed with him remains to be seen.

If they were to release Gaither before the 2013 season, they'd be burdened with $6 million in dead money against the cap, split over the next three years. He's due a $4.5 million base salary in 2013, $5 million in 2014 and $6 million in 2015 if on the roster.

"We've given Jared Gaither every opportunity to be a part of this team," coach Norv Turner said, referring to this season. "It just hasn't worked out."

Asked Thursday if he feels like he's let teammates down, Gaither said "it's an injury."

"Those things happen," Gaither added. "You can't get yourself down. You have to continue to support the guys and work to get out there myself. Of course, it's disappointing. Anytime you can't do what you want to do, it's disappointing. You've just got to keep working. ...

"I mean, it's tough. I don't know what you're looking for. It's tough. I'm not out there, and I want to be out there. The situation is tough. I don't know how to give it you in another way. It's a tough situation."

After a strong showing at offseason workouts, the lineman's health became an ongoing saga.

It started with muscle cramps.

On July 26, the first day of training camp, he was carted off the practice field. He returned for the next day's practice, saying afterward he needed to do a better job of hydrating himself moving forward.

On July 28, he suffered back spasms in the team weight room and would miss the entire preseason, not making his 2012 debut until a Week 4 game against the Chiefs on Sept. 30.

Gaither injured his groin a week later against the Saints.

After missing one game, following the team's Week 7 bye, the 6-foot-9, 330-pounder played all 70 snaps against the Browns. He didn't finish the Chargers' next game, however, against the Chiefs.

Gaither said he aggravated the groin ailment during that Nov. 1 contest, in which he allowed one sack and a quarterback hurry while committing three penalties, and then aggravated it again in practice on Nov. 7.

He expressed intent Thursday on playing again this season.

"The year's not over," Gaither said. "I've got to get back out there and finish strong."

The Chargers invested in the 26-year-old after a strong impression in 2011.

Signed off waivers from Kansas City, he solidified San Diego's offensive line over the final five games, allowing no sacks or quarterback hits and only two hurries.

This season, after months of missed practice time, Gaither wasn't his former self, ceding four sacks, two hits and six hurries in four games, according to Pro Football Focus.

"I was good enough to play," Gaither said. "If I can do it, I'm going to be out there. That shows that. I didn't have any practice. I was good enough to go out there, so I went out there."

Gaither was considered to have a history of character concerns entering his time with the Chargers, but locking him up in March was a chance they felt they had to take, given his 2011 impact, potential and the state of the free agency and draft class at the position.

While many within the Chargers have defended Gaither and acknowledge only the player dealing with an injury can know it is like, there have been questions of his toughness at different levels of the organization over the course of the year.

The team's original long-term plan at left tackle was Marcus McNeill, a two-time Pro Bowler who was under contract through 2015. It released him in March and he retired in August because of spinal issues.

Michael Harris, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, will continue to start at left tackle.

"I don't know what we would have done without him," Turner said. "He's a guy that's improving and is working as hard as he can. He's been in some tough matchups, and he's managed it to the best of his ability."

On Saturday, the team is expected to promote Kevin Haslam from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. Haslam will serve as the team's swing tackle Sunday against the Ravens. Tyronne Green (hamstring) is doubtful to play.